Researchers have created the first diamond nanothreads — which are basically like carbon nanotubes, but stronger and stiffer. Mathematically, these diamond nanothreads are possibly the strongest and stiffest material that can be constructed in the known universe. As interest in space elevators and other international megaprojects swell, these diamond nanothreads might be exactly what we need to get crazy seemingly impossible constructions off the whiteboard and into reality.

Google X, Google’s secretive R&D laboratory, has confirmed that it was indeed working on a space elevator — but sadly had to put the project on the back burner until humanity creates a building material that’s strong enough. The same team at Google X has also investigated teleportation and hoverboards — but again, at least for now, the secret sauce that would unlock the development of these technologies has eluded the Google geniuses.